A • B - C • D - E • F - I • J - P • Q - S • T - Z

Deed: written document which transfers ownership or an interest in real property to another.

Deed of Trust: a document which pledges real property to secure a loan.

Defect in Title: any recorded instrument that would prevent a grantor from giving a clear title.

Defective Title: Title to real property which lacks some elements necessary to transfer good title.

Deposit: money given by the buyer with an offer of purchase, sometimes referred to as Earnest Money.

Disburse: make payments during the course of an escrow or at closing.

Earnest Money: see Deposit.

Easement Rights: right (or right of way) created by grant reservation agreement, or necessary implication which one has to the land of another.

Encroachment: in general, a structure which is, in whole or part, on the property of another.

Encumbrances: general term for any claim or unpaid lien on a parcel of real property, i.e. mortgages, and unpaid taxes or deed restrictions.

Examination of Public Records: see Title Search.

Executor: appointed under a will to carry out the terms of the will.